Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is a therapeutic treatment that primarily focuses on the interpretation of mental and emotional processes. It shares much in common with psychoanalysis and is often considered a simpler, less time consuming alternative. Like psychoanalysis, psychodynamic therapy seeks to reveal the unconscious content of a client's psyche in an effort to alleviate psychic tension. Psychodynamic therapy increases a client’s self-awareness and grows their understanding of the influence of the past on present behavior. It allows clients to examine unresolved conflicts and symptoms that arise from past experiences and explore how they are manifesting themselves in current behaviors, such as the need and desire to abuse substances. Think this approach might be right for you? Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s psychodynamic therapy experts today.

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Problems originate in relationship and problems are healed in relationship

— Jeremy Sublett, Psychotherapist in Nashville, TN

I have used a psychodynamic approach of exploring childhood issues to understand a client's current symptoms.

— Samantha Bryant, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in , TX
 

Psychodynamic theory is what you may think of when you imagine "talk therapy." It is a rich and nuanced exploration of who you are and the forces that shaped you. The psychodnymic aspects of our work help bring to light your unspoken, and perhaps unrecognized, assumptions about yourself and the world around you so you can decide if they serve your life now and the life you want going forward.

— Dawn Johnson, Psychologist in Washington, DC

I have experience utilizing a psychodynamic approach to help my clients gain helpful insight into their patterns and behaviors that may be limiting them in life. My training at graduate school in this approach has helped me with my adult clients especially in long term therapy to gain self awareness to foster positive changes. I have seen progress with this approach in clients struggling with trauma, self esteem, relationship issues and more.

— Rebecca Bischoff, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Hoboken, NJ
 

I was trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy at the University of Chicago. Psychodynamic therapy, combined with other approaches, such as energy therapy techniques can be very effective in treating a number of conditions. That said, I don't get stuck on one or two approaches. That would be like a medical doctor who only prescibes penicillin. A good therapist needs a lot of tools in his or her toolbox.

— Stephen Finstein, Therapist in Dallas, TX

As part of my time as an intern I spent 3 years training at the Psychodynamically oriented Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills where I learned about unconscious processes and how they are manifested in the client's present behavior. The goals of psychodynamic therapy are client self-awareness and understanding of the influence of the past on present behavior.

— Lorraine Schwartz, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in ,
 

I take a psychodynamic approach that explores life experiences and the meaning we assign to them in order to help client better understand their inner world. This includes identification and exploration attachment styles, childhood, adolescence, and adult experiences, hopes, dreams, and fears. The benefits of exploring and identifying these things is a better understanding one's self and why they move through life as they do. This creates space for one to make informed and healthy life choices.

— Allison Reifsteck, Licensed Professional Counselor in Chicago, IL

Becoming a parent can often cause us to analyze how we were parented. It can be helpful to explore our own childhood experiences to understand ourselves, why we react to our children in certain ways, and inform us about how we want to parent our own children.

— Kendra Olson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Minneapolis, MN
 

Psychodynamic theory is vital in understanding the influence of early experiences, exploring unconscious conflicts, and recognizing the significance of interpersonal relationships in shaping a client's psychological functioning. In my experience, this orientation has been crucial in exploring clients’ unconscious thoughts, feelings, and experiences, which more than likely may be influencing their current behaviors and relationships.

— Jada Maldonado, Mental Health Counselor in New York, NY

Received training in psychodynamic schools of thought in my graduate training.

— Tess Carroll Keeley, Clinical Psychologist in Denver, CO
 

I have a strong background in psychodynamic approaches including psychological research in attachment theories. In my current practice, I recognize that we all have a past that may influence how we interact in the world today. Through therapy, clients can gain insight into how unaddressed past pains may be affecting their current quality of life and important relationships.

— Dr. Jennifer McManus, Psychologist in Jacksonville, FL

I offer an integrative, psychodynamic approach informed by mindfulness. Together we will strive to understand how past experience has influenced present-day thoughts, emotions, and behaviors -- and access your authentic voice to make new choices that are aligned with your values and beliefs.

— Vivienne Kim, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Berkeley, CA
 

Behavior is influenced by both conscious and unconscious factors, and it is important to explore both. Although symptom reduction is important in the short-term, meaningful long-term change requires deeper work. There is often a symbolic significance to maladaptive behaviors, which can be explored in therapy. In addition to intra-psychic factors, I acknowledge that many of my clients’ difficulties may be exacerbated by oppressive systems at the global, national, and local levels.

— Brooke Ferragamo, Clinical Psychologist in San Francisco, CA

My approach to treatment is mostly influenced by psychodynamic theory and a specific kind of psychodynamic theory in particular, Mentalization-based Treatment (MBT). Broadly, this means that we will work together to understand the current difficulties that you're experiencing in terms of internal, mental processes. By putting our minds together to better understand what's going on on the inside, you'll experience more flexibility and more agency in your life outside of therapy.

— Amie Roe, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York, NY
 

There is no resolution without understanding the "why" below the surface. This approach is part of a combination of therapeutic interventions that ensure that we examine the root of your systems to make a path forward. Our therapy sessions together will unearth and discuss deep seeded issues that may plague you daily. We can make a plan for improvement together and learn better techniques and ways of coping. Struggling for a long time doesn't mean that you can't find a way forward.

— Sara Fischer Sanford, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in SAN FRANCISCO, CA